English

Aim

The department is passionate about its subject and we believe that this is powerfully reflected through innovative and creative lessons where students are required to engage actively in their work. The department also has high expectations and is committed to entering as many students as possible for formal examinations.

Student success is highly valued and rewarded within the department and we seek to empower each individual student through appropriate learning plans in order to prepare them for their linear exams and post-16 further education and employment.

Our specialist English teachers teach across the age and ability range. Areas studied include English Language, English Literature, Film Studies, Media Studies and Drama. GCSE English Language and English Literature students follow the Eduqas examination board.

Curriculum Plan

Students follow the English National Curriculum and our programmes of study revolve around the set curriculum and focus on the skills students will need to pass their qualifications. We offer a broad set of units to cover prose, poetry and non-fiction ranging from the nineteenth to the twenty first century. From Year 7 onwards, our writing schemes are embedded across each unit and focus on building literacy and encouraging independence. Our English lessons are rich in literary content and our chosen texts reflect the wealth and diversity of our literary heritage. Students are encouraged to develop their spoken English by learning to use Standard English effectively in a variety of different formal situations such as presentations and debates.

We want our students to be passionate about reading and to develop the habit of reading widely and often, both for pleasure and information. In Year 7 students have a timetabled library lesson and they follow an Accelerated Reader programme, which encourages and supports their reading. We want students to leave the school with a life-long passion and aptitude for reading.

The English curriculum is further enriched by theatre and cinema trips; reading clubs including the Reading Rampage and the Carnegie short list and we take every opportunity to celebrate a wide variety of literary events including World Book Day and National Poetry Day. We promote educational excursions and are always seeking new extra-curricular opportunities for our students.

In Years 7 and 8, students follow a ghost curriculum to prepare them for Years 9, 10 and 11. English Language and English Literature are studied simultaneously with a particular focus on the main assessment criteria.

English Language focuses on students being able to identify and interpret information and ideas; to comment on and analyse how writers use language and structure to achieve effects; to compare writers’ ideas and perspectives and be able to evaluate texts critically, supporting textual information.

English Literature focuses on students being able to read, understand and respond to texts; to be able to analyse language, form and structure used by writers to create meanings and effects and show understanding of contexts.

Assessment information

Each unit of study in KS3 and KS4 is followed by a formal reading or writing assessment which tests students’ skills, knowledge and understanding. In the lead-up to this assessment, the teacher will build the skills required and through a series tasks (KS3 fortnightly and KS4 triweekly) the students’ progress will be monitored.

Long Term Planning

A more detailed version of Key Stage 3 and 4 curriculum can be found by following the link below: